MTM Management Associates

Top notch management company

We had MTM and Mike Potter service our HOA for some 10 years. The HOA Board dumped them last year after the pile of resident complaints and issues kept growing ever higher. At a number of the HOA meetings I attended, I found Potter to be lacking in people skills and in how to build consensus among a community. He also seemed to seriously lack community management knowledge. I mean, he often would defer questions off that pertained to the application of our governing documents by referring those to attorney friends of his. This was often the double edge sword that would not only get our HOA deeper into legal fees, but cause resident controversy through use of intimidation tactics. On the other hand, when one of our past HOA presidents sought to give a non-hoa resident an easement through our common area, Potter took no adviser stance to protect the HOA. No attorney even reviewed the transaction. In 2008, a number of our residents ended up turning to the Montgomery County Commission On Common Ownership Communities. We are one of the lucky counties that actually has such a commission to file complaints. Most counties in MD do not have this. The MD State Attorney Generals' Office is mostly useless in aiding HOA residents on such matters due to their lack of staff and budget appropriations. Always remember though, even just one person standing up to incompetence and poor governance can make a difference. This past 2008 election and the passage of the tax limiting proposition on the Montgomery County Council submitted by Robin Ficker is proof of that.

The person who reviewed MTM did not read their contract very well since it is clearly spelled out in their contract what financial information is provided each month. The writer obviously was not clear what was provided for in their contract and if they wanted more services they had to pay for it. His statement about $25 for an e-mail is ridiculous. We hired MTM in January 08 and are very satisfied with the services they provide. All one has to do is check with their long time clients, some over 25 years.

As of January 1, 2008, the Preakness Drive Homeowners Association will be contracting with Emiroglu Management for HOA services. The HOA Board of Directors has previously voted to not renew with MTM Management Associates based inpart on cost, vague contract, and failing to report on common area.